Questions and answers about the market's turmoil

Global stock markets tumbled Monday on the first trading day since Standard & Poor's downgraded long-term U.S. debt. The Dow Jones industrial average plunged 634.76 points, the sixth-worst p...

NEW YORK – Global stock markets tumbled Monday on the first trading day since Standard & Poor's downgraded long-term U.S. debt. The Dow Jones industrial average plunged 634.76 points, the sixth-worst point less in its 112-year history. Investors are anxious about a weakening U.S. economy and a widening debt crisis in Europe.

Some analysts had worried that Treasury yields would surge after S&P's downgrade. That would happen if investors demanded higher returns to compensate for their risk.

The opposite happened. Treasury yields fell Monday to their lowest level of the year as investors sought a safe place for their cash. Their actions showed continued confidence in long-term U.S. debt.

Here are some questions and answers about the market's turmoil Monday:

Q: Why are stock prices plunging?

A: Stocks are considered risky, especially when the economy falters. When the economy is growing, companies can expand, hire and increase profits. A string of bad economic data has led many investors to worry that the economy will dip back into recession. If that happens, stocks would likely slide further. Investors already were growing fearful about the economy before S&P's announcement Friday night. Oil prices also are falling, a sign that traders expect the weak economy to reduce demand from consumers and businesses.

Q: If everyone is selling stocks, where's that money going?

A: Anywhere safe. Traders are plowing cash into investments that are seen as hedges against economic weakness. Gold prices streaked past $1,700 for the first time Monday. And the yields on debt issued by the U.S. Treasury fell as traders, money managers and overseas banks sought refuge from the market's wild swings. Bond yields fall as their prices rise.

Q: Why are Treasury prices rising? Didn't S&P just indicate that they are a riskier investment?

A: Investors remain confident that the Treasury will be able to pay its creditors, downgrade or not. And Treasurys are still the world standard for safe, stable investments that can be converted into cash easily. Other nations with AAA ratings have much smaller economies and issue much less debt. When investors seek safety, they don't have many options other than Treasurys.

Q: If the S&P downgrade isn't driving all this selling, why are markets plunging now? After all, the economic data was relatively encouraging on Thursday, when the Dow had its worst one-day point drop since 2008.

A: Things are looking grim in Europe. Central bankers there are trying to prevent Italy and Spain from becoming the latest nations to default on their debts. The European Central Bank on Monday is buying up bonds issued by those countries, to increase demand for them. A default by Spain or Italy would be disastrous for other nations that use the euro and could affect financial companies worldwide.

Q: Are investors more optimistic about overseas stock markets?

A: Not at all. Stocks around the world have taken a pounding. Even developing markets are vulnerable because of how U.S. and European weakness could reverberate globally.

Q: Does this mean the economy is headed for another recession?

A: It can't be ruled out. Analysts note that the stock market's dive will make people feel less wealthy and discourage some from buying new cars and homes. If enough people feel discouraged by their loss of wealth and cut back on purchases, fears of another recession could become self-fulfilling.